The Borgias

Pope Alexander VI takes a new lover and throws a grand, pagan fete for the citizens of Rome when a cache of ancient artifacts is discovered; the rivalry between brothers Cesare and Juan spills into the streets; Lucrezia tends to her newborn child; now a pastoral priest once again, Della Rovere narrowly escapes an assassination attempt

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan

The stable boy who fathered Lucrezia's child travels to Rome to rendezvous with her but suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Juan; the Pope's lovers Giulia and Vittoria take him in disguise on a revelatory tour of Rome's indigent.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan

Alexander VI refuses to allow a Catholic burial for Paolo, despite his doubts about the stable boy’s suicide, causing Lucrezia to embark on a hunger strike that threatens the life of her infant son; the French army heads back to Rome, allied with Sforza; Della Rovere slips back into the city unnoticed to launch a plot against the Pope’s life.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan

Cesare recruits a band of mercenaries with the help of Micheletto to seek revenge on the retreating French troops for burning the nunnery where his beloved Ursula lived; the Pope forges more strategic alliances and enriches himself in the bargain; Lucrezia joins Giulia's quest to aid Rome's poor.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan

Cesare deals with the cunning Sforzas decisively; Alexander disguises himself and travels to Florence to hear the fiery preacher Savonarola, not realizing that Della Rovere is trying to recruit the rebellious holy man to his cause.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Neil Jordan

Alexander is convinced that a lightning strike on St. Peter's Basilica during mass was a sign of God's disapproval; Cesare tries to prove his worth as a military commander; the Pope pressures the reluctant Lucrezia to enter another political marriage.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland

Juan's triumphant return from Spain is marred by his unsuccessful siege of the Sforza castle; Lucrezia purposely scuttles a scheme to marry her off to a rich Genovese merchant; Savonarola's forces conduct the infamous "Bonfire of the Vanities."

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland

Juan returns to Rome trying to spin his combat injury as proof of his valor, but Cesare exposes his brother's ignoble behavior; Lucrezia takes a lover in her intended husband's younger brother; Della Rovere has recruited an angel-faced young friar as his suicide assassin, and the young man advances their agenda with a bold move against the Pope's food taster.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland

It's Easter and Alexander makes plans for a celebration to end his pious fast even as Della Rovere's assassin ascends to the position of the Pope's taster; Lucrezia's lover asks for her hand in marriage but her father dismisses him and his request; Juan's wild behavior threatens the life of Lucrezia's child, forcing Cesare to make a chilling decision about his brother.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, David Leland

Tragic news for the Borgia family is followed by a shocking revelation from Cesare; Lucrezia surprises herself by falling for a new suitor, Alfonso of Aragon, and accepts his proposal of marriage; Cesare tortures the rebel leader Savonarola but can't extract a confession, so he fakes one and burns the heretic; the assassin finally strikes with a poisoned chalice of wine.

Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger
Director(s): Neil Jordan, Guy Burt
Writer(s): Neil Jordan, Guy Burt